Employer Not Obligated To 'Launch Manhunt Across Globe For Absconding Employees': J&K High Court Upholds Dismissal Of CRPF Constable

The Jammu & Kashmir High Court upheld the dismissal of a CRPF constable who had been absent without leave for an extended period. The court ruled that an employer is not obligated to initiate an international manhunt for an absconding employee. The constable had been absent since 2011 and was declared a deserter in 2018. Despite attempts to contact him through various channels, including his family and local police, he did not respond. The court emphasized that prolonged unauthorized absence amounts to abandonment of service obligations, justifying dismissal. This case highlights employer discretion in handling prolonged absenteeism and the legal grounds for dismissal in such circumstances.